Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Oh how I love cookie dough; and since I pretty much have [Vegan] chocolate running through my veins, the two mixed together are one of my favorite treats!   I remember eating cookie dough straight out of the Pillsbury package it came in when I was younger.  Of course I can't do that anymore because A) it's not Vegan and B) it's anything but "natural".   When I first became Vegan, one of the first things I did was research how to make Vegan desserts.   Should I be embarrassed to admit that? No, I don't need to know what I can eat for dinner tonight, just dessert thank you. :)

There are many Vegan chocolate chip cookie dough recipes out there, but this one is very easy to make with natural ingredients and so good!  Don't be fooled into thinking it can't possibly taste as good as the "real thing" based on the ingredients.  It somehow tastes just like cookie dough!

Adapted from Averie Cooks:

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

(yields 16-20 balls)

Ingredients

2/3 cup cashews

1/3 cup oats

3 Tbsp Maple Syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup Vegan chocolate chips 

Place cashews and oats in food processor/blender, blend into a flour-like consistency.  Add maple syrup & vanilla extract.  Blend again until combined.  

Place mixture in bowl and add chocolate chips.  Mix with spoon.  Refrigerate mixture for up to 30 minutes (this will take the "stickiness" out of the dough and make it easier to roll into balls).   

Roll into balls and enjoy!   

I use Enjoy Life's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini-Chips (dairy, nut & soy free).  They only contain three ingredients:  Evaporated Cane Juice, Natural Chocolate Liquor (Non-Alcoholic), and Non Diary Cocoa Butter.  I've researched these ingredients and have not personally found anything wrong with them.  If anyone knows otherwise, please feel free to share with me (although I might be devastated) ;)  

Okay, I'm off to devour some (more) of these!! :)

Banana Cream Pie - Oh my!

Since I have a major sweet tooth, I am always on the prowl for wholesome, dairy-free dessert recipes.  It's very hard to come by many recipes that don't include refined sugar or vegetable oil, so I was pleased to find this recipe for Banana Cream Pie with Almond-Coconut Crust from The Diva Dish.   It's rare for me to make dessert that doesn't include chocolate, but this one looked too good to pass by!  I used organic, Grade B maple syrup  in place of honey/agave for this recipe.    I don't care for the taste of honey, and here's my scoop on agave...

Contrary to popular belief, Agave Nectar is not "all natural".  In fact, it's a highly refined sweetener and "the end result [of its refining] contains as much as 90% fructose.  Keep in mind that high fructose corn syrup with all its documented ill effects attributable to its fructose content is only 55% fructose". See: When Natural Foods Aren't Natural: Agave Nectar  (This is not to imply that HFCS is any better for you!)  Research has shown that fructose causes high elevation in blood sugar levels resulting in weight gain and the potential for diabetes, among other health benefits detriments.   You can use it in the recipe if you choose, just wanted to share my 2 cents!


Okay, okay.... on to the recipe!

Banana Cream Pie with Almond-Coconut Crust

(Serves 6-8)

Ingredients for the crust:

 1/2 cup raw almonds, soaked for 2+ hours and drained

8 oz. raw, flaked coconut

1 heaping tbsp. maple syrup

2 heaping tbsp. coconut oil

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

generous pinch of salt

Ingredients for the filling:

2 cups raw cashews, soaked for 2+ hrs and drained

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

1 tsp. vanilla extract

water

pinch of salt

2 bananas sliced

2 large bananas sliced for layering and garnish

Directions:

Place the almonds in a food processor and grind them. Add the coconut and process for a minute or so. Then add in the maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla and salt. Process until everything is incorporated. Remove from bowl and press into the bottom and side of a 9 inch pie pan. Place in the freezer while you make the filling.

Next, place the cashews and about 1/4 cup water in the food processor. Blend well, then slowly add in the lemon juice, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla, bananas and salt. Add a little more water, if you need to (I did not need to).  Blend until very creamy. Remove the crust from the freezer and pour in about half of the filling. Scatter about half of the bananas on top, then the rest of the filling. Arrange the remaining bananas on top. Place in the freezer for a few hours, and leave at room temperature for at least an hour before serving. Store leftovers in the refrigerator, up to a few days.

Wa-lah!

Oh my goodness, there are just no words to adequately describe how delicious this tastes!!  It's so creamy and decadent, and the almond crust is the perfect crunchy compliment to the smooth filling.  Deeelicious!!  :)